#TNHSFB Week Eight Slate: Top Matchups/Predictions

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fall break is on the horizon, so we have a smaller schedule this week but that doesn't we still don't have some big time matchups to talk about for Week Eight! </h2>     East Tennessee   Cleveland Blue Raiders (5-1) at Bearden Bulldogs (4-2)   - Monster inner-region game takes place here between the road Blue Raiders and the home Bulldogs, who are coming off a big win over Maryville last week. They now host a Cleveland team that has looked very impressive this season, especially on offense where they can be explosive but I think the Bearden could have the athletes to contend and possibly come out with the win. Key to doing that will be their potent rushing attack, behind studs [player_tooltip player_id='222283' first='Jaheim' last='Merriweather'] and [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson']. That rushing attack for Bearden can be a game changer and if they can't get that going, the road team could steal away the victory.    Key Matchup: Cleveland's defensive front seven vs. Merriweather, Thompson & the Bulldogs run game   Prediction: Cleveland 31  Bearden 21    - - - - - - - - - -    Walker Valley Mustangs (6-1) at East Hamilton Hurricanes (5-2)   - The region title might be on the line here between these two greater Chattanooga area teams that both have their eyes on a deep postseason run. The road Mustangs are having a dream season thus far but they can't be complacent as they take on a hot Hurricanes team that is starting to come into their own. What they have are some athletes in [player_tooltip player_id='285353' first='Kireese' last='Willis'] and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='301402' first='Vanzale' last='Hinton'] and Michael Hinton, Jr leading the way with their speed, skill and playmaking abilities. Walker Valley is a well coached team that will be ready to play but I think they are running into a hot squad right now that will be up for the region challenge.    Key Matchup: The Mustangs secondary vs. East Hamilton's passing attack    Prediction: East Hamilton 35  Walker Valley 24   - - - - - - - - - -    Knox. West Rebels (6-1) at Anderson Co. Mavericks (4-3)   - The Rebels remain on the road this week and are looking to bounce back after taking their 1st loss of the season to Alcoa with a new challenge on the horizon against a hot Anderson County team. The Mavs have won four games in a row while coming off a big victory over Clinton and I don't expect them to be afraid of the Rebels. They have a QB in [player_tooltip player_id='150269' first='Izaiah' last='Hall'] that can pass them to victory along with good offensive weapons in [player_tooltip player_id='433125' first='Nick' last='Moog'] and [player_tooltip player_id='895572' first='Xavian' last='James'] to give the ball too but can they actually do it against a hungry Knox. West defense? We shall see in this sneaky good East TN matchup!    Key Matchup: Mavs offensive line vs. [player_tooltip player_id='301377' first='C.J.' last='Smith'] & the Rebels defensive front seven    Prediction: Knox. West 38  Anderson Co. 20    - - - - - - - - - -    Northview Academy Cougars (6-1) at Elizabethton Fighting Cyclones (6-0)   - On paper, this looks like one of the best games in the East TN region for the Week Eight slate but the road Cougars are walking into a hornets nest at Elizabethton where the Cyclones are playing at a championship level. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='149385' first='Mason' last='Ball'] and their defense, the Cyclones have been shutting down opposing offenses all season and I don't expect things to be much different in this matchup. Northview is a solid team with good players like [player_tooltip player_id='744683' first='Richard' last='Bell, Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='345976' first='Evan' last='Poticher'] and others but Elizabethton is just too good and I foresee them taking this contest that might lead to eventual region title.    Key Matchup: Cougars offensive line vs. the Cyclones defensive front seven    Prediction: Elizabethton 43  Northview Acad. 17    - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top East TN Games    - Polk Co. (3-3) at Bledsoe Co. (5-2)   - Johnson Co. (4-3) at Chuckey-Doak (6-1)   - Jellico (4-2) at Cloudland (3-3)   - Carter (4-3) at Gibbs (5-1)   - West Ridge (4-2) at Jefferson Co. (5-1)   - Whitwell (6-1) at Oliver Springs (5-2)   - Knox. Central (4-3) at Powell (5-2)   - Morristown-West (3-3) at Sevier Co. (5-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/vhinton.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-984718" style="width:413px;height:413px" width="413" height="413" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - -   Middle Tennessee    Brentwood Bruins (7-0) at Centennial Cougars (7-0)   - The best game of the Week Eight slate takes place right here between two undefeated Williamson Co. teams that have their eyes on state titles by season's end. Both of these teams sport strong defenses along with offenses that showcase senior QB's in [player_tooltip player_id='550150' first='Baylor' last='Hayes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='148876' first='Elisha' last='Nieves']. They both also have some playmakers like [player_tooltip player_id='193752' first='Matthew' last='Manning'], [player_tooltip player_id='316773' first='Dominic' last='Reed'] & others that can be game changers. This is a tremendous matchup that I could see going multiple ways and I believe a lot will be dictated on the play of Nieves and his offensive line against a very good Bruins defensive front seven that might be one of the best position groups in the state. No matter the final result, this game will make both teams better for the playoffs and help towards their goals of winning a state title.    Key Matchup: Cougars offensive line vs. the Bruins defensive front seven   Prediction: Brentwood 28  Centennial 27   - - - - - - - - - -    Moore Co. Raiders (6-0) at Collinwood Trojans (5-1)   - Can anybody slow down or stop Raiders star offensive playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='277797' first='Dawson' last='White']? Well that's the challenge on hand for Collinwood, who has a big opportunity in front of them that could lead to a region title with a victory over Moore County. A ground attack from both squads will be on display Friday night but which defense will stand strong and make enough stops to pull out a win. That will be key, especially stopping White, who is in line to contend for Mr. Football by season's end. I do think Collinwood will hang tough for a while and make a game of it but in the end, the Raiders will be too good for the home team to overcome.    Key Matchup: Trojans defensive front seven vs. White & the Raiders rushing attack    Prediction: Moore Co. 42  Collinwood 20    - - - - - - - - - -    Henry Co. Patriots (6-1) at Beech Buccaneers (3-3)   - Sitting at .500 headed into Week Eight, Beech has an opportunity to turn their season around and do so against a very good Henry Co. team that sits in the mix among other teams considered as favorites for the Class 5A state title. Beech has played a tough schedule this year, which has led to the 3-3 start but trust me the Bucs are a good team that will not back down to the Patriots. I see this being a defensive affair until the 4th quarter where the line of scrimmage takes over in favor of Henry County but would not be surprised to see the Buccaneers pull off the upset.    Key Matchup: Bucs defensive front seven vs. the Patriots run game    Prediction: Henry Co. 33  Beech 29   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/erichardson.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-540908" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -    Ensworth Tigers (5-2) at Father Ryan Fighting Irish (3-3)   - It's been a tough stretch for the home Fighting Irish and it doesn't get any easier this week as they host a talented Ensworth team that brings a salty defense with them. Father Ryan senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='148865' first='JoJo' last='Crump'] has a big challenge on his hands, trying to find a way to gain enough yards against [player_tooltip player_id='149383' first='Mason' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='219447' first='Ethan' last='Utley'] and the Tigers defense. His legs may be the key towards Father Ryan competing for the victory but if Crump is held in check for most of the night, the road team may come out on top. We shall see how things turn out but this could be one of the more entertaining games of the Week Eight slate.    Key Matchup: Crump & the Fighting Irish O-line vs. the Ensworth defensive front seven    Prediction: Ensworth 24  Father Ryan 20    - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top Mid-TN Games    - Trousdale Co. (3-3) at East Robertson (6-1)   - Ensworth (5-2) at Father Ryan (3-3)   - Marion Co. (7-0) at Forrest (4-3)   - Page (6-1) at Hillsboro (5-2) - Thursday   - Fairview (5-2) at Independence (4-3)   - Columbia Acad. (4-3) at Nash. Christian (3-3)   - Stone Memorial (6-1) at York Institute (6-0)   - - - - - - - - -   West Tennessee    Bartlett Panthers (5-2) at Germantown Red Devils (7-0)   - Can anyone take down Germantown and put a halt on their dream season? I don't know if anybody can but Bartlett may be one team that has the juice to do so. Now which Panthers team will show up Friday is the question because this team is talented enough to hang with Germantown but consistency has been their issue this year. Bartlett must find answers for this week as they have a tough challenge ahead against an athletic and talented Red Devils offense, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='149844' first='Cordero' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='337298' first='B.J.' last='Blake'] that can take over a game quickly. I do think Bartlett hangs tough, giving the Red Devils a scare but in the end, Germantown prevails!   Key Matchup: Panthers defensive front seven vs. the Red Devils offensive backfield    Prediction: Germantown 35  Bartlett 24   - - - - - - - - - -    Haywood Tomcats (6-1) at Hardin Co. Tigers (7-0)   - Both these teams jump out of region for Week Eight but both Haywood and Hardin Co. are Class 4A powers that have their eyes on a long postseason run, so this should be a good game to follow. Hardin Co. is legit, led by stud seniors [player_tooltip player_id='207322' first='Carter' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='600028' first='Kamron' last='Haymon'] and the Tigers have been impressive so far this season while the Tomcats are an interesting team that has only lost once but that one loss was a blowout and to a good team. Haywood is solid but I'm not sure if they are as good as their 6-1 record says. This game should tell a lot about the Tomcats and how good they actually are as we head closer to postseason play.    Key Matchup: Tomcats secondary vs. Smith, Haymon & the Tigers passing attack   Prediction: Hardin Co. 42  Haywood 23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/khaymon.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-734704" /></figure>   - - - - - - - - - -   Southwind Jaguars (7-0) at Memp. Overton Wolverines (4-3)   - Region play continues this week for the #PRZTN #10 team in the state Southwind with a big road game against Memphis Overton and their sneaky good defense. The Wolverines have been a little inconsistent this year but have still played solid football and I expect them to be excited about competing against the Jaguars at home in Week Eight. Talent level leans in the direction of Southwind with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='149317' first='Kavion' last='Benton'], Antione Keefer and others destined for the next level but Overton has some up and coming guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1102503' first='Romalic' last='Carter'] that can be difference makers in this contest. The key for the Wolverines pulling off the upset will be finding a way to slow down stud sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480742' first='Kelvin' last='Perkins'] and his passing game.    Key Matchup: Overton's offensive line vs. the Southwind defensive front seven    Prediction: Southwind 42  Memp. Overton 13   - - - - - - - - - -    Dresden Tigers (7-0) at South Fulton Red Devils (4-3)   - Week by week, Dresden is starting to look like the best team in the Class 1A ranks as they are dominating everybody that comes in their path. This week's opponent is South Fulton, on the road in a region game environment that will present a challenge for the Tigers but I honestly see no reason to think they won't come out of this contest 8-0. The home Red Devils have played well this year at times and have a shot at getting into postseason play but they just don't have enough horses to keep up with the Tigers. South Fulton may keep the game close early but the run game of Dresden will eventually take over and wear down the Red Devils defense towards their eighth victory of the year.    Key Matchup: Red Devils defensive front seven vs. Dresden's rushing attack    Prediction: Dresden 56  South Fulton 10    - - - - - - - - - -    Other Top West TN Games    - Collierville (5-2) at Cordova (3-4)   - Houston Co. (3-4) at McKenzie (6-1)   - Bolton (5-2) at Millington (6-1)   - Bolivar Central (4-3) at Westview (4-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/02/dananderson.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-664182" /></figure>